Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Professional Associations Face New Challenges
byShel Holtz raises a thought-provoking question about professional development: How do professional associations remain relevant in the rapidly-moving online world?
He cites several examples of groups, events and “unconferences” that developed through social media and other online channels. These types of efforts have typically formed through professional associations like PRSA and IABC. Now they occur more organically, without that traditional link.
And if the new connections are rewarding – both personally and professionally – it may become tempting for professionals to drop their association membership and save several hundred dollars for their employer. Associations, however, still have advantages that cannot be matched including accreditation programs and lobbying, to name only a couple.
As Shel correctly points out, there’s still time for professional associations to find their best online niche. Taken further, associations could even become more appealing to professionals who have no local chapter or prefer online options. For Sundog employees, the closest IABC or PRSA chapter is a four-hour drive, which isn’t practical for attending a luncheon or board meeting. As social media becomes more broadly accepted, and associations adapt, these geographic barriers will lessen.
Follow the comments to Shel’s post for some thoughtful discussion.
